By Daniel Otieno, Kakamega
It was a bright and sunny day. Dappled sun shone through the trees, creating mysterious shadows.
The blue sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily in the gentle breeze as we made our way to Fesbeth High School, nestled at the sleepy village of Handidi in Kakamega East Sub County.
A group of students, teachers, and parents had gathered at the school gate, eagerly awaiting for the arrival of one of their brightest stars. When the school bus finally rolled to a stop, all eyes turned towards the door.
Stepping out with a smile that radiated both confidence and humility was Maryam Nimwema, a young girl whose B+ score in the 2024 KCSE exams had earned her a well-deserved place in the spotlight as a lady full of wit and ken. She was accompanied by her mother, Neema Karavina.
For many, Maryam had become an inspiration, a symbol of hard work, perseverance, and the promise of what could be achieved with dedication and resilience.
“I’m happy that my daughter performed well as expected and will be joining university on direct entry,” Karavina said. “This achievement is not just her victory, but for the entire school. We’ve walked this journey together, and today we celebrate every challenge she overcame to reach this milestone,”
She went on: “I’m beyond grateful for all the support she received along the way, from her teachers to her friends. This victory belongs to all who believed in her. Now, we move forward to even bigger dreams,”
“No journey is ever easy, but having a supportive family, incredible teachers, and loyal friends made all the challenges worthwhile. I dedicate this success to all of you,” ~ Maryam.
Echoing her mother’s sentiments, Maryam thanked her mother, teachers and friends for coming in large numbers to celebrate her victory, “I feel incredibly blessed to have had such amazing people in my life.”
“No journey is ever easy, but having a supportive family, incredible teachers, and loyal friends made all the challenges worthwhile. I dedicate this success to all of you,” said Maryam.
Maryam had higher aspirations for her career path but missed the cut-off for medicine by just two points.
Liza Minish, the Deputy Director of Fesbeth High School (left) with top student Maryam Nimwem (right) – Photo/Daniel Otieno/County Splash
“I wanted an A plain or A-, as it would have made it easier for me to pursue medicine,” she said. “But the cluster points are so high, I had to apply for another course that would fit my points. Now, I’m applying for Financial Economics. I’m encouraging my friends and schoolmates to work hard and excel like I did come KCSE 2025.”
Liza Minish, the deputy director of the school, expressed pride in the success of their students, especially the top performer with a B+.
According to Liza, Fesbeth has always believed in nurturing the potential of every student, and that the good results they were celebrating was a collective responsibility of everyone at the school.
“Achieving such impressive results on our first attempt is no small feat. It speaks volumes about the passion and drive of our students, as well as the tireless efforts of our teaching staff,” said Liza, adding, “This success is not just a victory for our students, but for every teacher, every parent, and every member of the Fesbeth family who has worked tirelessly to support and guide them along the way,”
However, she believes that there should be more equity in the university placement process. “As the government aims to achieve all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for its citizens, we urge them to ensure that all students, whether they are from public or private schools, are given equal opportunities in the university placement system,” Liza emphasized. “Furthermore, tuition fees should be made affordable for all parents to ensure that education remains accessible to all.”
The deputy principal of Fesbeth Academy, Maparo Daniel, also weighed in on the issue. “Our team, led by the Director of Studies, ensures that learners are well-prepared for their university placements. We have structured our classes based on what the students want to pursue in university, and we have opened doors for students who need additional guidance,” he said.
Fesbeth Academy, which is relatively new to the region, has already proven its prowess with 75 per cent of its students, nine out of 12, qualifying for direct university entry. “In our first attempt, we are ranked fourth in Kakamega East, which is a testament to the quality of education and support we provide to our students,” said Mr Maparo
Fesbeth High School offers a diverse range of subjects, including technical courses like Aviation Technology, Agriculture, Electricity, and Business Studies, alongside a strong presence in extracurricular activities like drama, music, basketball, and football.
